Ventilation fan system with advanced chromatherapy controls

ABSTRACT

According to an aspect of this disclosure, a ventilation and lighting system including a main housing having an inlet opening and a discharge opening, a blower and motor assembly disposed within a housing and operable to move air through the inlet and outlet, a grille configured to be located at the inlet opening, the grille having a cavity and a plate defining a plurality of apertures through which air may move, and one or more lighting elements arranged within the cavity and an optical component covering the cavity. The system is arranged such that light developed by the one or more lighting elements mixes within the cavity and transmits through the optical component covering the cavity, and the system further includes a controller that coordinates operation of the blower and motor assembly and the one or more lighting elements from a remote location.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication No. 62/675,045, entitled “VENTILATION FAN SYSTEM WITHADVANCED CHROMATHERAPY CONTROLS”, and filed May 22, 2018, the entiredisclosure thereof being hereby incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present subject matter relates to a ventilation systems and, inparticular, to a ventilation system having lighting elements, namelymulti-colored lighting elements intended to provide chromatherapybenefits to people in the room or area in which the ventilation systemis installed.

BACKGROUND

Often times, users, e.g., homeowners, decorators, designers,contractors, include both fans/ventilation systems and lighting elementsin rooms. It may be desirable to combine fans/ventilation systems, suchas bathroom fans, with lighting elements. Combination of thesecomponents may realize efficiencies, such as shared electricalconnections and shared cut-outs into adjacent structure (e.g. a wall ora ceiling). Further, a grille covering a fan/ventilation system providesboth aesthetic and functional value. Facilitating customization ofgrille sizes, shapes, colors, and other features of fan/ventilationsystems may be desirable for users.

With widespread adoption of smartphones and mobile devices forimplementation of smart home and internet of things (IoT) functionality,users are provided with more opportunities to connect to and controltheir environment. Remote operation of a ventilation and lighting systemmay also be desirable for users.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a ventilation fan system witha multi-colored lighting subsystem for chromatherapy is integratedtherein. This combined ventilation and chromatherapy system includes oneor more microprocessors and one or more user interfaces, such as awall-mounted controller and/or a mobile application controller, tofacilitate adjustment of lighting characteristics, such as color andintensity of light produced by the lighting system and output throughthe ventilation fan system. The combined ventilation and lighting systemallows users to adjust both fan function and lighting settings, as wellas service the controller, including accessing a control unit therein,without the need to interact with pre-existing household wiring.According to an aspect of the disclosure, ventilating fan systems mayinclude one or more lighting elements incorporated therein as well ascustomizable shapes, sizes, patterns, and other exterior features.Customizable features of the ventilating fan systems may be adjustedsuch that the ventilating fan systems match and/or complement theenvironment wherein same are disposed.

According to an aspect of this disclosure, a ventilation and lightingsystem including a main housing having an inlet opening and a dischargeopening, a blower and motor assembly disposed within a housing andoperable to move air through the inlet and outlet, a grille configuredto be located at the inlet opening, the grille having a cavity and aplate defining a plurality of apertures through which air may move, andone or more lighting elements arranged within the cavity and an opticalcomponent covering the cavity. The system is arranged such that lightdeveloped by the one or more lighting elements mixes within the cavityand transmits through the optical component covering the cavity, and thesystem further includes a controller that coordinates operation of theblower and motor assembly and the one or more lighting elements from aremote location.

The ventilation and lighting system further includes at least onewireless connection such that the at least one wireless connectionoperatively couples the controller to the blower and motor assembly andthe one or more lighting elements.

The ventilation and lighting system further includes one or more mobiledevices operatively coupled with at least one of the controller, theblower and motor assembly, and the one or more lighting elements.

The ventilation and lighting system further includes a control programfor controlling the blower and motor assembly and one or more lightingelements such that the control program is stored on a memory moduledisposed in one of the one or more mobile devices, the controller, andthe main housing.

The ventilation and lighting system is further arranged such that userinputs are received at both the one or more mobile devices and thecontroller, and the control program synchronizes control of the systemin response to the user inputs.

The ventilation and lighting system further includes one or more scenesstored within the memory module and executable by the control program tocoordinate operation of the blower and motor assembly and the one ormore lighting elements during a predetermined period.

According to a further aspect, control system for an illuminatedventilation apparatus includes a communications connection between theilluminated ventilation apparatus and a wall-mounted controller, one ormore mobile devices communicatively connected to one of the illuminatedventilation apparatus and the wall-mounted controller, a plurality ofswitches operable to control at least one blower and motor assembly andat least one lighting element of the illuminated ventilation apparatus,and a user interface of the one or more mobile devices configured tooperably control the at least one blower and motor assembly and the atleast one lighting element in synchronization with the plurality ofswitches.

The control system for an illuminated ventilation apparatus is furtherarranged such that the control system executes one or more sceneswherein control of the at least one blower and motor assembly and the atleast one lighting element are coordinated for a period of time.

The control system for an illuminated ventilation apparatus is furtherarranged such that the one or more scenes are pre-programed.

The control system for an illuminated ventilation apparatus is furtherarranged such that the one or more scenes are generated by a user.

The control system for an illuminated ventilation apparatus is furtherarranged such that the user interface further includes virtual buttonsfor adjusting characteristics of the at least one blower and motorassembly and the at least one lighting element to generate a scene.

According to yet another aspect, control system to operate a ventilationapparatus includes a plurality of user interfaces with a plurality ofvirtual buttons, an illuminated ventilation apparatus operable inresponse to the one or more virtual buttons of the plurality of userinterfaces, light control associated with a first virtual button of theplurality of virtual buttons and fan control associated with a secondvirtual button of the plurality of virtual buttons, and scene controlassociated with a third virtual button and operable to initiateadjustment of the light control and the fan control in coordination withone another.

The control system to operate a ventilation apparatus further includes amemory module for storing light and fan control information describingone or more scenes.

The control system to operate a ventilation apparatus further includesone or more processors for processing user inputs to the virtual buttonsand executing the one or more scenes.

The control system to operate a ventilation apparatus is furtherarranged such that the light control information comprises one or moreof color, duration, intensity, saturation, and correlated colortemperature.

The control system to operate a ventilation apparatus is furtherarranged such that the fan control information comprises one or more ofduration and power.

According to a still further aspect, a method for controlling aventilation and lighting system includes the steps of presenting one ormore virtual buttons to a user, gathering user inputs from the one ormore virtual buttons, developing one or more scenes in response to userinputs, storing the one or more scenes in a memory module for executionby a processor, and adjusting a blower and motor assembly and one ormore light emitting diodes (LEDs) to implement the one or more scenes inresponse to a user selection requesting execution by the processor ofthe one or more scenes.

The method for controlling a ventilation and lighting system furtherincludes pre-programing one or more scenes in the memory module; andimplementing the one or more pre-programmed scenes in response to theuser selection.

The method for controlling a ventilation and lighting system furtherincludes gathering user inputs from a wall-mounted controller, andadjusting the blower and motor assembly and the one or more LEDs inresponse to the wall-mounted controller.

The method for controlling a ventilation and lighting system furtherincludes synchronizing adjustments initiated by the one or more virtualbuttons and the wall-mounted controller.

Other aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will becomeapparent upon consideration of the following detailed description andthe attached drawings wherein like numerals designate like structuresthroughout the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide furtherunderstanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of thisspecification, illustrate disclosed embodiments and together with thedescription serve to explain the principles of the disclosedembodiments. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view from below of one embodiment of aventilation and lighting system comprising a fan, a housing, a grille,and one or more lighting elements;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view from above of a rear side of the ventilationand lighting system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the ventilation and lighting system ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view from below of the ventilation and lighting systemof FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the ventilation and lighting systemof FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a plan view from below of the ventilation and lighting systemof FIG. 1 with an opaque diffuser lens omitted such that the one or morelighting elements are visible;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view from below of the grille shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partially exploded isometric view from above of the grilleshown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view from below of the ventilation and lightingsystem of FIG. 1 comprising a second embodiment grille having anaperture pattern different from the grille depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a plan view from below of the ventilation and light system ofFIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a wall-mounted controller for operatingthe ventilation and lighting systems shown in FIGS. 1-10;

FIG. 12 is an elevational view of the wall-mounted controller of FIG. 11as same would be mounted within a wall remote from the associatedventilation and lighting systems shown in FIGS. 1-10;

FIG. 13 is an isometric view from behind of the wall-mounted controllerof FIG. 11 such that mounting components are shown;

FIG. 14 is a rear elevational view of the wall-mounted controller ofFIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the wall-mounted controller of FIG. 11;

FIG. 16 is a control diagram illustrating setup and operation of acontrol program for managing the ventilation and lighting systems shownin FIGS. 1-10;

FIG. 17 is a control diagram illustrating scene control for managing theventilation and lighting systems shown in FIGS. 1-10;

FIG. 18 is a control diagram illustrating lighting settings control formanaging the ventilation and lighting systems shown in FIGS. 1-10;

FIG. 19 is a control diagram illustrating fan control for managing theventilation and lighting systems shown in FIGS. 1-10;

FIG. 20 is a control diagram illustrating new scene generation formanaging the ventilation and lighting systems shown in FIGS. 1-10;

FIG. 21 is a control diagram illustrating settings and feedback controlfor managing the ventilation and lighting systems shown in FIGS. 1-10;

FIG. 22 depicts a mobile application icon for initializing an examplecontrol program, such as the control program detailed with reference toFIGS. 16-21, through a mobile device user interface;

FIG. 23 depicts “welcome” and “setup” user interfaces of an example ofthe control program of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 depicts a menu screen of the control program of FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 depicts user interfaces for generating a new scene with thecontrol program of FIG. 22;

FIG. 26 depicts fan control user interfaces of the control program ofFIG. 22;

FIG. 27 depicts brightness control user interfaces of the controlprogram of FIG. 22;

FIG. 28 depicts user interfaces for selecting a custom color with thecontrol program of FIG. 22;

FIG. 29 depicts example user interfaces for setup and initiation of anexample control program;

FIG. 30 depicts example user interfaces for lighting settings of thecontrol program of FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 depicts example user interfaces for fan settings of the controlprogram of FIG. 29;

FIG. 32 depicts example user interfaces for color settings of thecontrol program of FIG. 29;

FIG. 33 depicts example user interfaces for scene settings of thecontrol program of FIG. 29;

FIG. 34 depicts example user interfaces for mobile applications settingsof the control program of FIG. 29;

FIG. 35 depicts example user interfaces for mobile device pairing of amobile device executing the control program of FIG. 29 to theventilation and lighting systems shown in FIGS. 1-10;

FIG. 36 depicts example user interfaces for mobile device pairing of amobile device executing the control program of FIG. 29 to theventilation and lighting systems shown in FIGS. 1-10; and

FIG. 37 depicts example user interfaces for troubleshooting a connectionof a mobile device executing the control program of FIG. 29 to theventilation and lighting systems shown in FIGS. 1-10.

In one or more implementations, not all of the depicted components ineach figure may be required, and one or more implementations may includeadditional components not shown in a figure. Variations in thearrangement and type of the components may be made without departingfrom the scope of the subject disclosure. Additional components,different components, or fewer components may be utilized within thescope of the subject disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description ofvarious implementations and is not intended to represent the onlyimplementations in which the subject technology may be practiced. Asthose skilled in the art would realize, the described implementationsmay be modified in various different ways, all without departing fromthe scope of the present disclosure. Still further, modules andprocesses depicted may be combined, in whole or in part, and/or divided,into one or more different parts, as applicable to fit particularimplementations without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regardedas illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

A ventilation and lighting system 100 is described herein with referenceto FIGS. 1-37. In the Figures, the ventilation and lighting system 100is configured as a bathroom ventilation fan suitable for installation ina ceiling or a wall to ventilate an adjoining space or room. Theventilation and lighting system 100 (or illuminated ventilationapparatus 100; such terms having been used interchangeably hereinthroughout) comprises a blower and motor assembly 101, a housing 104, agrille 106, a discharge opening 107 or port formed in the housing 104and in communication with a duct 08, and one or more lighting elements110. The blower and motor assembly 101 is located within the housing 104and includes a motor 102 and blower or impeller 103 that draws air fromthe room adjacent the ventilation and lighting system 100 through aninlet opening of the housing 104. The one or more lighting elements 110,as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, are preferably light emitting diodes (LEDs)112 disposed on one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) 114. Thelighting elements 110 can, however, be any other known lightingelements. The one or more lighting elements 110 direct light through anoptical component 116 disposed about the grille 106. In exampleembodiments, the optical component 116 is an opaque diffuser lensconfigured as a rounded rectangle with an interior cutout 118 to fit thegrille 106 such that the optical component 116 and the grille 106together form a room-oriented surface of the ventilation and lightingsystem 100. In the example shown in FIGS. 1-5, 9, and 10, the one ormore lighting elements 110 are disposed within a cavity 120 formedwithin a fan enclosure portion 122 of the housing 104. The cavity 120 isconfigured as a trough 126 extending adjacent a grille frame thatdefines an outer perimeter of the grille 106. Interior to the trough 126and the frame is an interior or central plate 124 in which a pluralityof apertures 128 are defined to allow air to flow through the plate 124.In the depicted embodiments, the optical component 116 is configured tocorrespond to the shape of the trough 126 so that the optical component116 encloses the cavity 120 with the one or more lighting elements 110therein. As a result, light is generated within the cavity 120 andtransmitted through the optical component 116 into an adjacent space orroom in which the ventilation and lighting system 100 is installed. Inother embodiments, the cavity 120 could be comprised of a plurality ofdiscrete cavities located in the grille 106 with each cavity 120 housingone or more lighting elements 110 and having an associated opticalcomponent 116. FIGS. 9 and 10 depict another example of the grille 106comprising a differing pattern of apertures 128 in the central plate124.

A wall-mounted controller 200 is described herein with reference toFIGS. 11-15. In example embodiments, the wall-mounted controller 200operates the ventilation and lighting system 100 shown in FIGS. 1-10according to a control program and/or system 230 shown and describedhereinthroughout, but with particular reference to FIGS. 16-37. Thecontrol program/system 230 comprises algorithms, processes, logic, anduser interfaces for operating the ventilation and lighting system 100automatically, in response to user inputs, and/or according topre-programmed functions. FIG. 12 is an elevational view of thewall-mounted controller of FIG. 11 as same would be mounted within awall and located remote from an associated ventilation and lightingsystem such as those depicted in FIGS. 1-10. The depicted wall-mountedcontroller 200 features an arrangement of switches 202. According to anexample embodiment, a first toggle 204 controls the functionality of awhite light source from among the lighting element(s) 110. A secondhorizontal toggle 206 vertically aligned beneath the second toggle 204may implement dimming control for the one or more of the light elements110. The wall-mounted controller 200 also comprises a third toggle 208for implementing color control. The third toggle 208 is arrangedvertically below and adjacent to the second, dimmer control toggle 206.The third, color control switch 208 may operate according to an on/offfunction, provide color adjustment, provide color sweep rate adjustment(e.g., adjustment of the rate at which the lighting element(s) 110change from one color to the next), and/or facilitate scene selection.The third switch 208 may be programming dependent such that in varyingexamples of the wall-mounted controller 200 the third switch 208facilitates differing functionality suitable for varying applications ofthe ventilation and lighting system 100. As a result, the third switch208 may operate as a toggle or according to another principle. Thecontroller 200 also comprises a fan control toggle 210 arrangedvertically below and adjacent to the third switch 208. The fan controltoggle 210 adjusts the speed of the blower and motor assembly 101,namely the motor 102 and/or switch the motor 102 between on and offstates. Additionally, a countdown timer may be implemented as asecondary function of any one of the toggle switches 204, 206, 208, 210.For example, depressing one of the switches 202 for a predetermined timeperiod may activate a countdown timer. Also, in examples, depressingdifferent ones of the switches 202 for predetermined time periods mayactivate countdown timers for different controlled components (e.g. theblower and motor assembly 101, the lighting element(s) 110) or countdowntimers of differing length. The countdown timer may operate to switchthe blower and motor assembly 101 and/or lighting element(s) 110 betweenon and off states after a preset time limit. Additionally, thewall-mounted controller 200 provide an intuitive interface for useroperation of primary control functions through single momentaryactuation and advanced control through sustained actuation of theswitches 202 alone and in predetermined combinations.

FIGS. 13-15 depict one or more mounting components by which thewall-mounted controller 200 may be mounted within a wall and/or ceilingand operatively connected to an electrical power source such as abattery module, for example, or another suitable power source (e.g.,120V grid power, photovoltaic cell, etc.). Internal structural andelectrical components of the controller 200 are shown in FIG. 15. Thewall-mounted controller 200 includes a housing 212 with a front cover214 that allows for user access to the switch arrangement 202 and a rearcover 216. The wall-mounted controller 200 further comprises an internalisolation housing 218 that stores a control unit and a battery powersource 222. The isolation housing 218 is adapted to isolate the internalcomponents, namely the control unit, from elements in the wall,including live power lines. In another example embodiment, the batterypower source 222 may be omitted and another power source may besubstituted therefor, such as a wired connection to grid power.

The isolation housing 218 may be configured to prevent a user fromtouching live household wiring when accessing the control unit and theother components within the wall-mounted controller 200. The isolationhousing 218 also facilitates maintenance of the control unit, which maycomprise programming, configuration, upgrading, battery replacement,and/or other desired maintenance of the wall-mounted controller 200.Servicing of conventional switches and controllers may result in theremoval of wall plate and mounting flange fasteners when accessing sucha control unit. However, the wall-mounted controller 200 contemplatedherein may be serviced by removing only the front cover 214.

The ventilation and lighting system 100 further comprises lighting, fan,and chromatherapy control features. The wall-mounted controller 200described hereinabove may be omitted and replaced with a touch screeninterface such as a resistive touch screen, capacitive touch screen,surface acoustic wave (SAW) touch screen, infrared touchscreen opticalimaging touch screen, acoustic pulse recognition touch screen, oranother suitable interface. In further example embodiments, thearrangement of switches 202 may comprise one or more rocker switches,buttons, spring-loaded toggle switches, and/or other suitable switches.Referring to FIGS. 16-37, the control program 230 is implemented throughone or more user interfaces 400. The control program 230 may operate tocontrol and/or manage the ventilation and lighting system 100independent of, or in conjunction, with the wall-mounted controller 200detailed hereinabove. Depending upon particular applications and/orinputs, either of the one or more user interfaces 400 or thewall-mounted controller 200 may take precedence when conflicting controlinputs are received. Further, the control program 230 may coordinateand/or synchronize control of the illuminated ventilation system 100 inresponse to both the wall-mounted controller and the one or more userinterfaces 400.

The ventilation and lighting system 100 may comprise built-in sensors,such as optical sensors to detect ambient light, motion sensors (e.g.,passive infrared, microwave, ultrasonic, area reflective type,vibration), timers, moisture/humidity sensors, and/or other suitablesensors for assisting and enhancing control of the system 100 by thecontrol program 230. Such sensors may be utilized by the control program230 to suggest a specific chromatherapy protocol, suggest a scene, orotherwise as inputs to the control program 230.

The one or more lighting elements 110 disposed within the ventilationand lighting system 100 develop a plurality of lighting characteristics.In example embodiments, the one or more lighting elements 110 maydevelop different colors and intensities of light. Further, the lightingelement(s) 110 may emit different colors and/or intensities of light,such as with color LEDs. As shown in FIGS. 6-8, the lighting elements110 are directed downward and away from the fan enclosure and towardsthe optical component 116, when the ventilation and lighting system 100is installed in a horizontal room surface, such as a ceiling. Thepresent disclosure contemplates the lighting element(s) 110 comprisingwhite and RGB LEDs (i.e., including red, green, and blue emitters).Further example embodiments may comprise RGBW LEDs (i.e. red, green,blue, and white emitters), RGBWW LEDs (i.e., red, green, blue, andwarm-white emitters; temperature controlled white color), and/or othersuitable LEDs or combinations of LEDs. In example embodiments, the LEDs112 may be individually addressable or addressable as one or morestrips. The one or more addressable strips of LEDs 112 may correlate tofirst, second, third, and fourth sides of the illuminated ventilationapparatus 100 or first, second, third, and fourth PCBs 114.

The cavity 120 wherein the lighting element(s) 110 are disposed mayfacilitate light and/or color mixing before the mixed light travelsthrough the optical component 116 disposed about the grille 106. Theoptical component 116 may further facilitate light mixing viascattering, diffusing, and/or other light mixing techniques. The opticalcomponent 116 may be an opaque diffuser lens or another opticalwaveguide with one or more mixing, diffusing, and/or light redirectingproperties according to example embodiments of the ventilation andlighting system 100. According to an example embodiment, the opticalcomponent 116 allows some of the light to transmit therethrough whileforcing some of the light to reflect within the cavity 120 between theoptical component 116 and a bottom surface of the fan enclosure 122. Inanother example, the one or more lighting elements 110 may direct lighttowards the fan enclosure 122 and, initially, away from the opticalcomponent 116. According to this example, a bottom surface of the fanenclosure 122 may be reflective such that light is reflected thereby,mixes within the cavity 120, and then exits the cavity 120 through theoptical component 116. Reflective material, paint, and/or coating may besuitable applied within the cavity 120, such as on a bottom surface ofthe fan enclosure 122, to further facilitate light and/or color mixing.This configuration may develop adequate light and/or color mixing sothat a diffuser lens may be omitted.

The ventilation and lighting system 100 may include a communicationsmodule for transmitting and receiving signals from the wall-mountedcontroller 200 and/or mobile device 232 executing the control program230. For example, the communications module may implement wirelesscommunications according to known protocols such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi,Zigbee, infrared, dedicated control wiring, signal-over-power, and/orother suitable protocols to communicate with the wall-mounted controller200 and/or mobile device 232.

The signals that are received by the communications module may beprocessed by one or more processors associated with the ventilation andlighting system 100. For example, a microprocessor may regulate thecurrent applied to the one or more lighting elements 110 or may operatea subset of the lighting element(s) 110 as directed by the controlprogram 230. It should also be understood that the microprocessor mayuse further operate to dim the lights, control flicker of the lights,and/or change other properties of the lighting element(s) 110 and/oremitted light according to instructions supplied by the control program230. The processor may be associated with one or more memory elements ofthe ventilation and lighting system 110.

User inputs received by the wall-mounted controller 200 and/or thecontrol program 230 may determine one or more of color, hue, duration,and/or light intensity according to a variety of control schemes.Likewise, user inputs may determine the run-time, power, and/or otheroperational qualities of the blower and motor assembly 101, includingthe motor 102. Control sequences may be defined to follow a sweepingpattern of colors according to the preferences of a user. Alternatively,color patterns may be cycled randomly. Control sequences may be definedto produce complementary hues and intensities according to orders/seriesthat are known to encourage vitality or relaxation. Many desirablesequences may be developed according to chromatherapy protocols or otheruser criteria such as mood lighting, guest lighting, night lighting,emergency lighting, lighting for showing a home/room, etc. Additionally,the color capabilities of the lighting element(s) 110 may includemonochrome or combinations of white, violet, indigo blue, aqua blue,green, yellow, orange, red, and/or other colors. The control program 230operating in conjunction with the wall-mounted controller 200 and/or themobile device(s) 232 provides for soft transition from one color toanother in a predefined series. According to particular control schemes,the lighting and ventilation qualities of the ventilation and lightingsystem 100 are coordinated to develop one or more scenes or protocols.In example embodiments, the control program 230 executed by the one ormore mobile devices 232 may be synchronized with the wall-mountedcontroller 200. Also in examples, voice control may be integrated intothe control program 230 via the one or more mobile devices 232 and/orthe wall-mounted controller 200.

Referring now to FIGS. 16-21, control processes 240, 260, 280, 300, 320,and 340 of the control program 230 are described along with associatedones of the user interface(s) 400. FIG. 16 is a control diagramillustrating “setup” and “home” processes 240 of the controlprogram/system 230 for managing the ventilation and lighting system 100shown in FIGS. 1-10. User interfaces 402, 404, 406 are encountered by afirst time user during setup of the control program/system 230. At step242, a user opens the control program 230 and follows the instructionsof the welcome user interface 402. In response to the instructions ofthe welcome user interface 402, a user connects (such as by Bluetooth™)the mobile device 230 to the ventilation and lighting system 100 duringstep 244. Following connection, a user encounters the first and second“setup” user interfaces 404, 406. The control program 230 mayautomatically configure the mobile device 232 and the illuminatedventilation system 100 or the user may be prompted to undertakeadditional initialization steps. Following initialization and setup, auser is presented with a “home” user interface 408. The “home” userinterface 408 comprises virtual buttons 410, 412, 414, 416, 418, 420associated with differing control functionality. The virtual togglebuttons 410, 412, 414 toggle their respective functions between on andoff states. The virtual toggle 410 adjusts the blower and motor assembly101 between on and off states; the virtual toggle 412 adjusts a whitelight subset of the lighting element(s) 110 between on and off states;and the virtual toggle 414 adjusts scene and color control between onand off states. As a result, the virtual toggle 414 adjusts one or moreparticular color-producing subsets of the light element(s) 110 (asdirected but a default or previously determined scene or colorselection).

Additionally, the virtual toggles 410, 412, 414 are overlaid onto thevirtual buttons 416, 418, 420 for accessing advanced controls for eachof the elements respectively controlled by the toggles. The virtualbutton 416 implements user access to advanced color and scene control.The virtual button 418 for the white subset of lighting element(s) 110implements user access to brightness control (e.g., a virtual slider fordimming or increasing brightness along a 0%-100% scale). Further, thevirtual button 420 implements user access to advanced fan control (e.g.,control of fan speed and/or duration). Each of the virtual buttons410-420 is monitored in real time by real-time monitoring sensors 234disposed within a touchscreen of the one or more mobile devices 232.

Referring now to FIG. 17, the control process 260 illustrating advancedscene control presents a user with scene control user interfaces 422,424. A plurality of scene selection virtual buttons 426 are integratedinto the scene control user interfaces. Each of the scene selectionvirtual buttons 426 initiates a scene when selected by a user. A scenecomprises coordinated lighting control, color control, and fan controldesigned in temporal synchronization to evoke particular usersentiments. Example scenes shown in FIG. 17 include “Quick Break MiniSpa”, “Energizing Morning”, and “Kid Bath Party”. Numerous qualities ofthe lighting control described hereinthroughout (e.g., sweep rate,correlated color temperature, color, hue, intensity, timing, saturation,etc.) may be optionally integrated within each scene. For example, ascene inspiring warmth may involve warm white light (about 2700-3000Kelvin) while a scene imitating daylight may involve cooler white lightwith more blue (about 5000-6500 Kelvin). The multi-color, adjustable LEDlighting elements 112 may be controlled and preset for particular timesof day, activities, or desired moods to enhance user enjoyment thereofIn example embodiments, software may automatically select light colorsto compensate for time of day, season, weather, and/or a number of othersuitable factors. Also, a user may preselect light hues to accentuateinterior design and/or other room elements. One or more sensors may beincorporated into the system 100 for gathering information concerningone or more factors as an input to the control program 230. The lightcolor and chromaticity control may be determined by the quality of thelighting element(s) 110 and/or by algorithms defined through software.Further, the runtime and air flow rate of the blower and motor assembly101 (measurable by cubic feet per minute (CFM)) may be adjusted by theuser and/or incorporated into pre-programed or user generated scenes.For example, the blower and motor assembly 101 may operate at fifty CFMor lower for implementation of tranquil, relatively quiet scenes whilemore energetic scenes designed to accompany a running shower or humidenvironment may operate the blower and motor assembly 101 at 60 to 170CFM, preferably 60 to 170 CFM, and most preferably 90 to 110 CFM.

The scene control user interface 424 further comprises a scene settingsvirtual button 428. When a user selects the scene settings virtualbutton 428, the settings integrated into each scene may be adjusted by auser. Further, through this interface a user may generate a new scenecomprising ventilation and lighting features selected according to thepreferences of a particular user.

FIG. 18 depicts the control process 280 for accessing and manipulatingsettings for the lighting element(s) 110. Advanced lighting control userinterfaces 450, 452 comprise virtual buttons and virtual toggles.Lighting control user interface 450 comprises settings for adjustment ofa white light subset of the lighting element(s) 110. These include a“timeout” virtual toggle 454, a virtual timer selection button 456, anightlight virtual toggle 458, and a brightness virtual slider 460. Avirtual “set” button 462 saves settings selected with the other virtualbuttons of the light control user interface 450. The lighting colorcontrol user interface 452 comprises a correlated color temperaturevirtual slider 462 having an arcuate shape or depicted as a color wheel.Additionally, a current or selected correlated color temperature isdisplayed below the correlated color temperature virtual slide 462 inthe form of a red, green, blue (RGB) color code. Three numbers representabsolute values for the intensity of red, green, and blue light emittedby the one or more lighting elements 110. The RGB color code maycorrelate directly to the intensity and number of red, green, and blueLEDs powered. Alternatively, conversions may be performed by theunderlying control program 230 for calculating the RGB color codeproduced by LEDs of different colors or color-shifted LEDs. This userinterface 452 may further comprise the brightness virtual slider 460.

The fan control process 300 and a user interface 464 therefor are shownin FIG. 19. The fan control user interface 464 comprises an automationvirtual toggle 466 and a timer virtual slider 468. The automationvirtual toggle 466 switches an automatic fan setting between on and offstates. In the on state, the blower and motor assembly 101 draws airfrom a subject room through the housing 104 for discharge to a remotelocation according to an automatic process (e.g., periodic interval,humidity detection, etc.). The timer virtual slider 468 allows a user toslide a virtual button to a number of minutes of ventilation desired(e.g., in the example shown in FIG. 19, the timer virtual slider 468indicates a selection of thirty minutes of fan run time.

FIG. 20 the scene generation process 320 presents a user with scenegeneration user interfaces 470, 472, 474. The scene generation userinterface 470 is similar to the lighting control user interface 450, butfurther includes a saturation virtual slider 476 and one or more virtualradio buttons 478 for selecting and storing a particular color in ahierarchical order for production of a scene. The scene generation userinterface 472 further includes first and second virtual buttons 480, 482for selecting the duration of a color and the desire transition from onestored color setting to the next (e.g., calm, abrupt, steady, etc.). Thescene generation user interface 474 provides a text capture box 484 fornaming a newly generated scene. The newly generated scene may be storedin a memory module 236 disposed within the one or more mobile devices232, the wall-mounted controller 200, remotely (such as on a cloudserver), and/or physically within the housing 104 (e.g., on the one ormore PCBs 114) of the illuminated ventilation apparatus 100.

FIG. 21 is a control diagram illustrating a feedback process 340 thatprovides feedback in connection with the ventilation and lighting system100. At step 342, a user may send feedback to a developer of the controlprogram 230 and user interfaces.

FIG. 22 depicts a mobile application icon 360 for initializing thecontrol program 230 through a mobile device user interface. Furtherexample user interfaces are depicted in FIGS. 23-37. The example userinterfaces of FIGS. 23-28 comprise similar virtual buttons to the userinterfaces shown in FIGS. 16-21. An additional scene generation userinterface 486. Here, a color wheel for selecting an RGB color code isreplaced with a text input for red, green, and blue values. Further,this scene generation user interface 486 facilitate user selection ofthe desired color model for use in developing a scene through drop downmenu 488.

User interfaces 500, 502, 504, 506 of FIG. 29 deliver “welcome” and“setup” information to a user upon initialization of the control program230 through the one or more mobile devices 232. FIG. 30 depicts exampleuser interfaces 508, 510, 512, 514 for controlling the lightingelement(s) 110, while FIG. 31 depicts example user interfaces 516, 518,520, 522 for controlling the blower and motor assembly 101, includingthe speed of the motor 102. Further example user interfaces 524, 526,528, 530, 532 for selecting a color or scene are depicted in FIG. 32. Inthe example user interfaces 530, 532 save and/or delete prompts 534, 536may guide user interaction with the user interfaces 530, 532. Likewise,example user interfaces 538, 540, 542, 544, 546, 548 are shown in FIG.33. “Play” and “save” virtual buttons 550, 552 are included in the userinterfaces 546, 548 for saving and or editing/deleting a scene.

FIG. 34 depicts example user interfaces 554, 556, 558, 560 for adjustingsettings of the control program 230. Additionally, the user interfaces556, 558 give a user the option of tracking and viewing energy usage ofthe illuminated ventilation apparatus 100.

FIG. 35 depicts example user interfaces 562, 564 for wirelessly pairingthe illuminated ventilation apparatus 100 with the one or more mobiledevices 232 when said devices run the iOS™ operating system. Likewise,FIG. 36 depicts example user interfaces 566, 568, 570 for wirelesslypairing the illuminated ventilation apparatus 100 with the one or moremobile devices 232 when said devices run the Android™ operating system.In the user interface 568, a plurality of illuminated ventilationsystems appear available for establishing a wireless connection. Inexample embodiments, the control program 230 may manage more than oneilluminate ventilation system. Further, FIG. 37 depicts example userinterfaces 572, 574, 576 that may be presented to the user fortroubleshooting a connection between the illuminated ventilationapparatus 100 and the mobile device 232.

The embodiment(s) detailed hereinabove may be combined in full or inpart, with any alternative embodiment(s) described.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The above disclosure may represent an improvement in the art becausecontrol of a lighting system incorporated into a ventilating fan mayincrease efficiencies, provide desirable aesthetic improvements, and/orallow for user customization of spaces where both a fan and a light arewanted.

The above disclosure may represent an improvement in the art becausecustomization of exterior patterns and lighting solutions as applied toventilating fans may increase spatial efficiencies, increase aestheticappeal, and/or share electrical connections between the componentsthereof.

While some implementations have been illustrated and described, numerousmodifications come to mind without significantly departing from thespirit of the disclosure and the scope of protection is only limited bythe scope of the accompanying claims.

Example System Architecture

Architecturally, the representative technology can be deployed anywhere.For example, it may be preferable to operate between one or more devicesor across a network of devices controlled by a server. The mobiledevices and networks implementing the ventilation and lighting system100 preferably have memory and bandwidth suitable for storing andtransmitting information about the scenes and control inputs receivedfrom users. Additionally, a visual display for presenting one or moregraphical user interfaces 400 (see FIGS. 16-20 and 22-37) to the user isadvantageous. Networking components, including network connections,between and amongst the one or more mobile devices, a network, and theventilation and lighting system 100 may be wired and/or wireless andsuitable for facilitating communications between the one or more mobiledevices and the fan and lighting elements of the ventilation and lightsystem.

Example embodiments of the disclosed system and method 100 are describedhereinthroughout with reference to FIGS. 1-37. In certain aspects, thesystem and method 100 may be implemented using hardware or a combinationof software and hardware, either by dedicated devices and networks orintegrated into other computing resource(s) or distributed across aplurality of computer resources (e.g., the one or more mobile devices).Computing device(s) and networks implementing the system and method 100may be, for example, desktop computers, mobile computers, tabletcomputers (e.g., e-book readers), mobile devices (e.g., a smartphone orpersonal digital assistant), set top boxes (e.g., for a television),video game consoles, or any other devices having appropriate processor,memory, and communications capabilities for gathering, storing,processing, and transmitting the data associated with the system andmethod 100.

The embodiment(s) detailed hereinabove may be combined in full or inpart, with any alternative embodiment(s) described.

The disclosed systems and methods can be implemented with a computersystem, using, for example, software, hardware, or a combination ofboth, either in a dedicated server, or integrated into another entity,or distributed across multiple entities. An exemplary computer systemincludes a bus or other communication mechanism for communicatinginformation, and a processor coupled with the bus for processinginformation. The processor may be locally or remotely coupled with thebus. By way of example, the computer system may be implemented with oneor more processors. The processor may be a general-purposemicroprocessor, a microcontroller, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), anApplication Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field ProgrammableGate Array (FPGA), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), a controller, astate machine, gated logic, discrete hardware components, or any othersuitable entity that can perform calculations or other manipulations ofinformation. The computer system also includes a memory, such as aRandom Access Memory (RAM), a flash memory, a Read Only Memory (ROM), aProgrammable Read-Only Memory (PROM), an Erasable PROM (EPROM),registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD, or any othersuitable storage device, coupled to bus for storing information andinstructions to be executed by processor.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the disclosed systemcan be implemented using a computer system in response to a processorexecuting one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained inmemory. Such instructions may be read into memory from anothermachine-readable medium, such as data storage device. Execution of thesequences of instructions contained in main memory causes the processorto perform the process steps described herein. One or more processors ina multi-processing arrangement may also be employed to execute thesequences of instructions contained in memory. In alternativeimplementations, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or incombination with software instructions to implement variousimplementations of the present disclosure. Thus, implementations of thepresent disclosure are not limited to any specific combination ofhardware circuitry and software. According to one aspect of thedisclosure, the disclosed system can be implemented using one or manyremote elements in a computer system (e.g., cloud computing), such as aprocessor that is remote from other elements of the exemplary computersystem described above.

A reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “oneand only one” unless specifically stated, but rather “one or more.” Theterm “some” refers to one or more. Underlined and/or italicized headingsand subheadings are used for convenience only, do not limit the subjecttechnology, and are not referred to in connection with theinterpretation of the description of the subject technology. Relationalterms such as first and second and the like may be used to distinguishone entity or action from another without necessarily requiring orimplying any actual such relationship or order between such entities oractions. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements ofthe various configurations described throughout this disclosure that areknown or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the artare expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to beencompassed by the subject technology. Moreover, nothing disclosedherein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whethersuch disclosure is explicitly recited in the above description.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the disclosureand does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unlessotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice ofthe disclosure.

Numerous modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent tothose skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Preferredembodiments of this disclosure are described herein, including the bestmode known to the inventors for carrying out the disclosure. It shouldbe understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only, andshould not be taken as limiting the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A ventilation and lighting system, comprising: amain housing defining an inlet and an outlet a fan disposed within ahousing and operable to move air through the inlet and outlet; a grilleconfigured to be located at the main housing inlet, the grillecomprising a plate defining a plurality of apertures through which airmay move; a cavity defined in the grille; one or more lighting elementsarranged within the cavity and an optical component covering the cavity,wherein light developed by the one or more lighting elements mixeswithin the cavity and transmits through the optical component coveringthe cavity; and a controller that coordinates operation of the fan andthe one or more lighting elements from a remote location, the controllercomprising scene control configured to define one or more scenes eachdefining predefined light control and fan control, wherein the lightcontrol comprises predefined settings of one or more of color, duration,intensity, saturation, and correlated color temperature and wherein thefan control comprises predefined settings of one or more of duration andpower.
 2. The ventilation and lighting system of claim 1, comprising: atleast one wireless connection, wherein the at least one wirelessconnection operatively couples the controller to the fan and the one ormore lighting elements.
 3. The ventilation and lighting system of claim2, comprising: one or more mobile devices operatively coupled with atleast one of the controller, the fan, and the one or more lightingelements.
 4. The ventilation and lighting system of claim 3, comprising:a control program for controlling the fan and one or more lightingelements, wherein the control program is stored on a memory moduledisposed in one of the one or more mobile devices, the controller, andthe main housing.
 5. The ventilation and lighting system of claim 4,wherein user inputs are received at both the one or more mobile devicesand the controller, and the control program synchronizes control of thesystem in response to the user inputs.
 6. The ventilation and lightingsystem of claim 4, comprising one or more scenes stored within thememory module and executable by the control program to coordinateoperation of the fan and the one or more lighting elements during apredetermined period.